Local News - Issue 236

Hoffenheim Offer
Musona To Chiefs

German Bundesliga club Hoffenheim have approached
Kaizer Chiefs, offering them Knowledge Musona ahead of the January transfer
window.Stuart Baxter said that
Hoffenheim have come back knocking on their door regarding the unsettled
Zimbabwean striker. Chiefs’ intentions to bring Musona back at the beginning of
the season fell through due to contractual disagreements. Musona has been
frozen out at Hoffenheim, while Chiefs have left one foreign spot open with the
aim of using it to bring in the 24-year-old in January if the deal works out.
Musona has recovered from an ankle injury that he picked up while on loan at
Chiefs last season and though he prefers to continue in Europe, it is no doubt
that Amakhosi will provide a good platform to get his career back in motion
again. Chiefs are aware of the need to strengthen their squad in attack as
goals have not been coming from their frontmen.

Platinum Stars
captain Vuyo Mere has been ruled out until February next year with knee
ligament damage. The influential right-back sustained the blow when
colliding with Tsietsi Mahoa 11 minutes into his side's 1-0 win over Moroka
Swallows at Dobsonville Stadium on Saturday. Mere had a scan on Monday to
determine the extent of the injury. Dikwena end 2014 with matches against
Bidvest Wits, Chippa United and Free State Stars.

South African youngster Ethen Sampson
has had his contract extended for another season at Major League Soccer side
Vancouver Whitecaps. It is a boost for the 20-year-old, who had his
breakthrough year in the MLS in 2014 ruined by injury. He managed just three
starts all year, but has shown enough potential to be picked up for another
season by the Canadian side that competes in the top American league. Sampson
is clearly highly rated at the Whitecaps and has been given another chance to
show his worth in the right-back position. Sampson, a product of the ASD
Academy in Cape Town, is the only South African currently playing in America’s
top league, where the likes of Doctor Khumalo, Shaun Bartlett and Ivan McKinley
have featured in the past.

Safa says the reason
why they are backing Sepp Blatter to remain as FIFA president is because the
Swiss soccer administrator has done a lot for African football. After
spending many years as the general secretary of football’s world governing body
under Joao Havelenge, Blatter was elected as president in June 1998. He was
re-elected in 2002, 2007 as well as 2011.The 78-year-old has recently come under a lot of criticism after Fifa’s
decision to award the 2018 and 2022 World Cups to Russia and Qatar
respectively. And with the 2015 Fifa presidential elections just around the
corner, Safa’s National Executive Committee has backed Blatter to remain as
president.It is no secret that
Blatter was in support of the South African 2006 World Cup bid won by Germany
after New Zealand Football Association official Charles Dempsey abstained from
voting in the final round.After
that Fifa decided the 2010 the tournament would be played in Africa, with South
Africa winning the rights to host the World Cup in May 2004.

Royal Eagles have pounced on Zimbabwean
striker Ronald Chitiyo as their bid to win promotion to the PSL next season
intensifies. The former Dynamos striker trained with both Ajax Cape Town
and Orlando Pirates before heading back to Zimbabwe last season. However,
Chitiyo is now back in South Africa and has signed a two-year contract with
Eagles. The Durban side's manager Richard Makhoba has confirmed the signing of
Chitiyo as well as the arrival of Abraham Nteo as assistant coach. Eagles –
formerly Sivutsa Stars – are mid-table on the NFD standings 10 points behind
the leaders and 10 points ahead of the bottom-placed team.

The case between Ajax
Cape Town and defender Ayabulela Magqwaka that was set to be heard last week
Thursday will now be heard next year in January 2015. Magqwaka's
representatives last week lodged an urgent application against Ajax to release
the player from his contract but the PSL Disciplinary Committee felt that the
matter was not urgent enough and now will be heard in January. Johannesburg
sports law attorney Thoe Mapheta explains the reason why they wanted the case
to be heard urgently. With the Africa Cup of Nations taking place next month,
Mapheta feels this could mean Magqwaka might miss out on a call-up. The Amajita
captain has been part of the Bafana Bafana setup since Shakes Mashaba was
appointed head coach.

Eric Tinkler has declared his desire to be handed the Orlando
Pirates head coach job permanently. Tinkler is back as Pirates’
caretaker coach following Vladimir Vermezovic’s resignation last week. He has
now made it known that he wants this job, arguing that he has gained enough
experience to be the ‘main man’ instead of being a mere assistant. “Definitely,
the chairman [Dr Irvin Khoza] has shown faith in me because before he said I
was interim coach; now he has given me the opportunity up to the end of the
season to actually prove myself. So this is an opportunity for me to do just
that,” Tinkler says. Tinkler was originally brought to Pirates as an assistant
to Roger de Sa and took charge as a caretaker coach for eight games early this
year when RDS left. He won four games, losing three and drawing one. The former
Bafana Bafana hardman had previously served as an assistant coach at Bidvest
Wits since he retired in 2007, and was in charge for three games when De Sa was
suspended by the PSL.

Kaizer Chiefs fan Stanford Molemela
received R1 million during half-time of the Soweto Derby after being named a
winner as part of Vodacom's 20x More Summer campaign. Molemela, a
42-year-old receiving clerk for a stationery company from Thembisa, said he
will use the money to better his children's education. Attending Saturday’s
Derby was not a new experience for Molemela.
Polokwane City have become just
the fourth side to win Q-Innovation honours after claiming the second quarter.
Rise & Shine beat Chippa United 3-1 this past weekend meaning that, with
one round of games to play in the second quarter, they cannot be caught. The
feat means they walk away with R1.5-million, though they still find themselves
down in eighth position in the Absa Premiership standings. Only three other
teams have won the Q-Innovations – Kaier Chiefs (4), Mamelodi Sundowns (3) and
Platinum Stars (2).

Kaizer Chiefs claimed bragging rights
with a 2-0 victory over Orlando Pirates in the Soweto Derby at FNB Stadium last
Saturday afternoon. Siphiwe Tshabalala and Siphelele Mthembu got the goals
as log leaders Chiefs stayed 13 points clear of second-placed Sundown, who managed
a 2-0 victory over Free State Stars at home.

South Africa defender Sibusiso Khumalo faces six weeks on the sidelines
with a knee injury, casting doubt on his participation at the upcoming Africa
Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea. The SuperSport United left-back
will have surgery next week with CAF's premier competition taking place from
January 17 to February 8. Orlando Pirates left-back Patrick Phungwayo played
and impressed in Bafana Bafana's Nelson Mandela Challenge win over Ivory Coast
on Sunday, with Khumalo unavailable for that game as he featured in the Telkom
Knockout Final the day before. Khumalo was initially called up by national team
coach Ephraim Mashaba after Phungwayo's clubmate Thabo Matlaba - who made his
return against Maritzburg United on Tuesday - damaged his Achilles on the eve
of Bafana's Afcon qualifier with Congo on 15 October.

Chippa United have
appointed Roger Sikhakhane as their permanent head coach. Sikhakhane was
appointed in a caretaker position for United after the club parted ways with
Kosta Papic. However the Chilli Boys boss Chippa Mpengesi has decided to give
the KwaZulu-Natal-born coach a permanent position following the team's good run
in the League so far this season.The
Port Elizabeth-based club are currently sitting third in the PSL standings with
21 points after 13 matches.

The draw for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations in
Equatorial Guinea was made on last Wednesday night, with South Africa pitted in
the group of death. South Africa have been dealt a tough Africa Cup
of Nations 2015 draw, being pitted against Ghana, Senegal and Algeria in Group
C.While Shakes Mashaba’s Bafana
Bafana have been among the most improved teams in Africa in 2014, they will
need to be wary of all three opponents. Senegal are also returning to something
like their best, while Ghana are always tough opponents, especially in
competition football. Algeria have impressed immensely with their form over the
past couple of years and should pose a stern test in Bafana’s opening Group C
match. South Africa have met Algeria three times in the past, winning once and
drawing twice. In nine matches against the Black Stars of Ghana, Bafana have
registered an impressive five wins, but their two defeats were comprehensive
losses during the qualifiers for the 2006 World Cup. South Africa have never
beaten Senegal, drawing three matches, and losing twice.
GROUP AEquatorial Guinea
Burkina Faso
Gabon
Congo

GROUP BZambia
Tunisia
Cape Verde
DR Congo

GROUP CGhana
Algeria
South Africa
Senegal

GROUP DIvory Coast
Mali
Cameroon
Guinea

Platinum Stars have
submitted an official offer to Zambian club Nkana FC for the services of
in-demand striker Reynold Kampamba. The Chipolopolo striker is on the
wanted-list of SuperSport United, Ajax Cape Town and an unnamed team in Israel
that has reportedly presented a tempting offer to the player. However, Dikwena
now look close to capturing his services after matching the offer from the team
in Israel. Stars chairman Ratanang Nke has confirmed that his club has sent the
offer to Zambia. The 22-year-old has scored 19 goals in all competitions for
Nkana this year and was the 2013 FAZ Super Division Golden Boot winner with 18
goals last year.

Ajax Cape Town
defender Rivaldo Coetzee has signed a new contract with the Urban Warriors.
The Bafana Bafana centre-back has been rewarded for a solid season so far by
being given a long-term deal. The player's agent Tim Sukazi of Quality Talent
Sports confirmed that the new, improved deal runs until June 2017.

Nike and the South African Football Association (SAFA) have
revealed the new home and away kits for the national football team. The
kits are infused with the passion of the national team. The green and gold
colours reflect heritage and modernism and are coupled with the most innovative
performance technologies. The gold home jersey features a classic flat green
collar with a single gold stripe on the inside back of the collar, and has
green cuffs on the sleeves. The King Protea, South Africa's national flower, is
emblazoned on the left chest, with the SAFA logo centered below the front of
the V-neck. The South African flag rests on the outer back of the neck. A solid
gold stripe runs down the sides of the green shorts. Gold socks with a bold green top cuff
complete the home kit. The away jersey is green, and is paired with gold shorts
and green socks that use the same features as the home kit. The jersey and
shorts feature a slimmer fit that more tailored to the body, enabling player to
perform better without the moisture drag. The new South Africa football jersey
will be available from December 11.

FIFA-accredited agent
Gibson Mahachi has filed a case of breach of contract with FIFA against Tendai
Ndoro for allegedly reneging on a written agreement he had with the
Zimbabwe-based agent. Mahachi has shown the representation contract between
his agency and the Mpumalanga Black Aces striker signed when the player was still
on the books of Chicken Inn back in his homeland. The contract was signed in
July last year, running for a period of two years, but the latest revelations
stand to jeopardise Ndoro’s future. Mahachi – a respected agent in Zimbabwe –
is claiming loss of agent fees for the Aces move and will also lodge further
claims on any deal that takes the 26-year-old away from the club. As it stands,
Tendai Ndoro has signed with two agents, which is a serious breach of contract
and disrespectful of the football statutes. On my submissions I am claiming
agent fees on the Aces deal and further claim fees on the next deal should he
move to another club. Fifa will forward the complaint to Safa, who will then
hand it over to the PSL DRC. Ndoro risks following former Polokwane City
left-back Prince Hlela, who remains banned from professional football until he
pays his former agent Alex Bondarenko R100 000 in a similar case of breach of
contract. Bondarenko took up the case against Hlela with the PSL DRC last year
– after the 30 year-old signed for Polokwane City without his consent – leading
to the league’s disciplinary committee imposing an indefinite ban on Hlela
until he pays Bondarenko R100 000. Hlela, who has been out of a job since the
ban was imposed just three games into his stay at Polokwane City, has since
taken his case to the South African Professional Football Players Union in a
bid to have the sanctions lifted, but he has found no luck to date. Ndoro has
since signed with another agent, Karabo Mathang of P Management. The Zimbabwean
striker has scored just once this season in the 10 league games he has started
– in the first league match against Bloemfontein Celtic.
Kaizer Chiefs have offered Kingston Nkhatha a new contract, despite the striker
coming under pressure from the club’s fans for some inconsistent performances
this season. The Zimbabwean international has found the back of the net
just twice, and put his name down for Miss of the Season against Polokwane
City, but it seems he has the backing of coach Stuart Baxter. Nkhatha’s agent,
Tim Sukazi of Quality Talent Sports, says they have an offer in front of them
and it’s just about finalising terms. Chiefs have already agreed terms with Chippa
United striker David Zulu for next year, and have also been linked with the
likes of Bongani Ndlulula.

SuperSport United have confirmed the signing of New Zealand
international striker Jeremy Brockie on a two-and-a-half-year deal. The
27-year-old will join his new teammates on January 5. Brockie, who currently
plays for Wellington Phoenix in his home country, has scored 21 goals in 53
matches for Phoenix since he joined the club ahead of the 2012/13 season.
Brockie has also made more than 40 appearances for New Zealand and was in the
All Whites squad for the FIFA 2010 World Cup hosted by South Africa.

Mamelodi Sundowns want Keagan Dolly
back during the January transfer window. Dolly signed with Sundowns
before the beginning of the season and was loaned back to Ajax Cape Town for
the current season. The 21-year-old midfielder came through the Sundowns
development ranks before he was snatched by the Urban Warriors. But with the Brazilians hit by injuries and
campaigning in the CAF Champions League from January, Sundowns insiders say the
player will be back in January.

SA players abroadDean Furman came off the bench
against former side Oldham Athletic, whose fans roundly booed him, to help
Doncaster Rovers to a 1-0 win in their FA Cup second round tie.

Andile Jali
played for KV Oostende as they scored a late winner in a come-from-behind
victory over bottom side Lierse.

Darren Keet kept
another clean sheet, his fourth in a row, as his Kortrijk side kept up their
superb recent form with a 3-0 home win over Mechelen that moved them to second
in the league.

It was a frustrating
Sunday for Kamohelo Mokotjo, who
picked up a yellow card in his side’s 2-2 draw at Vitesse, another blow to
their faint Championship hopes this season.

Anele Ngcongca
received a yellow card for Genk as they were held 0-0 by Gent.

There will be no FA Cup run for Kgosi Ntlhe this year after his Peterborough United side lost 1-0
to Colchester United in the FA Cup second round. Ntlhe played the full game.

Ayanda Patosi and
his Lokeren side as were held to a 0-0 draw at home by Cercle Brugge, with the
Bafana Bafana international replaced at halftime.

After scoring in a cup win last week, Lebogang Phiri started for Brondby as they beat Silkeborg 1-0 at
home to stay in fourth, 13 points behind runaway leaders Midtjylland.

Thulani Serero
played the full game for Ajax Amsterdam as they won 5-0 at home to Willem II.

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